FOCUS DeKalb attorney Mike Coghlan gave the City Council an ordinance that represents what some business owners want out of a controversial inspection ordinance Monday.

The Commercial/Industrial Building Responsibility Code Ordinance, which would require commercial and industrial businesses to be inspected annually at the owner’s expense, was proposed at the Sept. 8 City Council meeting. Coghlan is an attorney for the DeKalb County Home Builders Association as well as businesses from whom City Manager Anne Marie Gaura has been getting input on the ordinance.

Coghlan said he met with his clients and drafted their ideas into the ordinance he submitted.

“I have good news for you: You don’t need all this input and staff drafting because I already met with them,” Coghlan said. “We do not want the city staff being our spokesperson.”

Sixth ward Alderman Dave Baker said he would like to start with Coghlan’s ordinance in its entirety and change it from there.

During the meeting, 1st ward Alderman David Jacobson asked if there are City Council members who still want the Commercial/Industrial Building Responsibility Code Ordinance. Jacobson asked if the city should continue to spend money trying to figure out the specifics of it if the timeline to implement it is pushed back. There was no outward response to Jacobson’s question from the other City Council members.

Guara will meet with five groups that represent businesses on Nov. 21. Then, a revised proposal will be given at the Dec. 8 City Council meeting. A public hearing will be held at the Jan. 12 City Council meeting. A revision of the ordinance will be proposed at the Jan. 26 City Council meeting. If necessary, a second public hearing will be held on Feb. 9.

The timeline was approved with five votes in favor of keeping the timeline the same and two against.

Tax levy

A property tax levy that would be used for some street lighting and also to fund a portion of required pensions for full-time employees was addressed at the meeting by finance director, Cathy Haley.

The initiative was passed four to three and will be addressed further at the Nov. 13 Joint City Council and Finance Advisory Committee Meeting meeting.

Municipal band

The DeKalb Municipal Band performed at City Council to celebrate its anniversary.

The band, which is 160 years old, played a Christmas piece in preparation of its Dec. 13 concert. The concert will be at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., as a fuindraiser for the Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship Fund.